2008 Garage Sales - This summer TFL is once again holding garage sales for it's neighbors. We need volunteers to set up, sell, witness, and put away. We welcome furniture, household items and appliances that are clean, useful, repaired and in good condition. The sales will be held at the church's garage on Franklin & 13th Avenue. The dates are June 7th, July 12 and August 2nd from 8am -4pm. If you would like to help with this mission project, please call Jeanne at 612-870-9487. Thank you for any help you can give us.

Change of Garage Sale Dates - The new dates for the garage sale this summer are June 7th, July 12, and August 2nd. The changes have been made in order to coordinate and cooperate with the Saturday Street Ministry.
 

2007 August
Garage Sale Note - Please pass the word that this past Saturday's garage sale was the last garage sale this year. Thank you to Jeanne Huff and all those who worked with her for making this summer's sales so successful!

2007 July
Garage Sale Note - Saturday, August 11 is the next Garage Sale. Please pass the word that we are no longer accepting clothing fro the garage sale. We are still accepting furniture and other household items.

2007 June
Garage Sale Update - Thank you to all who helped with the garage sale. The proceeds totaled $959.65. What an encouraging start! We look forward to the next one on Saturday, July 14th and invite all to come and help.

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Downsizing? Cleaning out the house, garage, or shed? Donations of household items are needed once again for Trinity First’s 5th year of Summer Garage Sales in the heart of Minneapolis. Urgent need: donations for June 9th sale; volunteers for July 14th & August 11th sales. Donations are tax deductible.

Did you know that The Brookings Institution considers our Twin Cities to be one of the “top ten” new-immigrant “gateway” cities in the US? The Lord is sending the nations to the Twin Cities…and Trinity First’s “Phillips” neighborhood is one of the primary “gateway” neighborhoods in our “gateway” city!

Donations of household items are still sought, such as: beds, mattresses, dressers, cookware, dishes, towels, lamps, couches, chairs, washers, dryers—anything you’d need to set up a home in States for the first time if you were a new immigrant stepping off a plane with all your worldly possessions in two suitcases. Call ahead to arrange for drop off, 612-870-9487. Donations are tax-deductible. No clothing, please.

Volunteers are also sought for set-up, sorting, cashier, conversing with neighbors, and clean-up. This makes a super servant event for a small group.

Again, it all takes place the first Saturday of each month on one of the busiest sidewalks in all of South Minneapolis. All proceeds go to fund local missionaries and mission projects. Call Teddy at 952-928-8934 or email jacobgillard@gmail.com for more info. Thanks again for supporting urban missionary work at Trinity First!

Garage Sales 2005
Mission Outreach Report

"Sing to the Lord' for He has done glorious things; Let this be known."  Isaiah 12:5

Trinity First began reaching out to her neighbors with household goods and clothing through sales events held in the church's garage in 2003. Since then, there have been 15 such sales. Surrounding congregations pitched in with fabulous donations and enthusiastic sale day help. Relationships were begun and strengthened, Gospel message was shared, encouragement given and lots of laughter and hugs were exchanged. The list of congregations, Trinity First members, members and friends of participating churches would be in the hundreds. I thank all of you.

In the midst of all the physical work and never-ending scheduling of deliveries and pick-ups, God was working a miracle (as usual!). Although we priced items very low, and often just gave things away, we actually made money; almost $5,000.00 over three years! The goal was always to give any profit to our Christian ethnic refugee leaders who arrived in Minnesota from very warm climates. There were six that I knew from my work with Partners In Mission. I am happy to announce that, with little but the suitcases they carried, the following Christian deacons each received a check for $500.00 in thankfulness for their strong witness of faith in extremely difficult and life-threatening situations:

1. Rev. Francis Beko - Ethiopian - Trinity First, Minneapolis
2. Dr. Fungchatou Lo - Hmong - Grace International, Brooklyn Park
3. Deacon Isaac Williams - Liberian - Peace, Robbinsdale
4. Deacon Paul Pal - Sudanese - St. Matthews, Columbia Heights
5. Deacon Godfrey Malisa - Swahili - King of Kings, Roseville
6. Deacon Omot Ochan - Anuak - Christ, Eagan
7. Assistant Charles Gaye - Liberian - Grace, Brooklyn Park (received $250.00)

These men of God have started ministries from zero, and in some cases, have almost 200 worshipping with them! All have brought a deep spiritual concern about the eternal welfare of their ethnic people and all people We can and are learning from them.

On October 30, 2005, the remaining items from Trinity First's garage sale were transported to St. Stephanas Church, St. Paul, to help Dr. Lo begin another Hmong outreach. It was a huge success. Hundreds of Hmong men, women and children arrived to pick and choose household items. And Dr. Lo shared the good news of Jesus with them, in their language. What a perfect use for "leftovers."

God will, and does, bless our feeble efforts. If necessary, He will 'let the rocks witness' because His Word will be spread. We were able to physically help our neighbors around Trinity First, and in so doing, able to hold up the arms of the prophets among us.

"He has done glorious things; Let this be known."  Isaiah 12:5

- Teddy Koeppen, Outreach Chair